Whatever. Just beat Iowa.


iu
 





It's weird the way these things go in cycles. The Gophers used to have an unhealthy obstruction to beating Wisconsin, but even when really really bad (2010, 2011) they could beat Iowa. Now it is such a struggle to beat Iowa while the team is on the verge of a nice winning streak vs Wisconsin. Meanwhile, in terms of the other regional rival - 6 in a row over Nebraska (and all their fans that are convinced they are the far superior team every year).

I recall being shell shocked just by the sight of those Wisconsin uniforms when we were in the midst of their ridiculously long axe winning streak. I sort of feel that way now with Iowa. As a fan, I just find myself waiting for bad things to happen.

Added to that, I have an adult nephew (graduated from Iowa in about 2014) that goes over the top with his needling. I never thought I'd say it, but the desperation I feel to beat Iowa now rivals if not exceeds what I felt regarding Wisconsin circa 2015.
 

It's weird the way these things go in cycles. The Gophers used to have an unhealthy obstruction to beating Wisconsin, but even when really really bad (2010, 2011) they could beat Iowa. Now it is such a struggle to beat Iowa while the team is on the verge of a nice winning streak vs Wisconsin. Meanwhile, in terms of the other regional rival - 6 in a row over Nebraska (and all their fans that are convinced they are the far superior team every year).

I recall being shell shocked just by the sight of those Wisconsin uniforms when we were in the midst of their ridiculously long axe winning streak. I sort of feel that way now with Iowa. As a fan, I just find myself waiting for bad things to happen.

Added to that, I have an adult nephew (graduated from Iowa in about 2014) that goes over the top with his needling. I never thought I'd say it, but the desperation I feel to beat Iowa now rivals if not exceeds what I felt regarding Wisconsin circa 2015.

Let's go Gophers, let's do it for @Schnauzer, @EG#9 and all the other Gopher fans who have insufferable Hawkeyes in their life.

Go Gophers!!
 





Nebraska felt like a really tough game leading up to Friday's matchup with the Gophers. Huskers were 5-1 and pretty close to 6-0 at the time. But now after yet another Nebby beatdown, some things start to come into focus:
1. Eked out a win over Cincinnati - not exactly a world beater.
2. Akron (not much to learn here after a win over the lowly Zips)
3. Houston Christian (not much to learn here after a win over lowly Houston Christian)
4. Tight loss to Michigan AT HOME and Michigan does look decent, but not playoff worthy.
5. had their problems with Michigan State and had to come from behind. MSU sucks.
6. had their problems with Maryland and had to come from behind. Maryland looks worse by the week.

So in hind sight, it is starting to feel like Nebraska is going to end up pretty average again this year so perhaps the "big" upset wasn't so big after all.

And now we have Iowa. This feels very similar but with a Bad recent history with them. They always seem to find a way to beat the Gophers. They've got some wins that look pretty good at first glance but the more we get to know the 2025 college football season, perhaps some of them aren't as good as they appeared initially.

Hopefully last Friday was more than a win, hopefully it was a sign of a surging Gopher squad and if an actual surging Gopher squad gets matched up with somewhat of a paper tiger at Iowa - maybe the good times will continue. That's what I am going to go with until/unless proven wrong on Saturday.
 

It's weird the way these things go in cycles. The Gophers used to have an unhealthy obstruction to beating Wisconsin, but even when really really bad (2010, 2011) they could beat Iowa. Now it is such a struggle to beat Iowa while the team is on the verge of a nice winning streak vs Wisconsin. Meanwhile, in terms of the other regional rival - 6 in a row over Nebraska (and all their fans that are convinced they are the far superior team every year).

I recall being shell shocked just by the sight of those Wisconsin uniforms when we were in the midst of their ridiculously long axe winning streak. I sort of feel that way now with Iowa. As a fan, I just find myself waiting for bad things to happen.

Added to that, I have an adult nephew (graduated from Iowa in about 2014) that goes over the top with his needling. I never thought I'd say it, but the desperation I feel to beat Iowa now rivals if not exceeds what I felt regarding Wisconsin circa 2015.
It's certainly interesting how Iowa has sort of replaced Wisconsin as you mentioned. I think the difference is I don't think Minnesota is that far off from where Iowa has been for the last decade or so.

When Wisconsin was on its win streak, they had some great teams. From 2006-2017, the Badgers had six teams with 11 or more wins, with five of those finishing in the top 10. They had guy like Russell Wilson, Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon, JJ Watt and TJ Watt.

Iowa on the other hand, since the Gophers beat them in 2014, have had their one 12 win season with a top 10 finish. Other than that, their seasons have ranged from 8 to 10 wins.

They've been good, but not playing at a higher tier like Wisconsin was for a while. It feels like Iowa has been more in reach. Of the 9 wins for Iowa against Minnesota since 2014, 6 have been by 7 points or less. Causes things to feel more frustrating.
 

We had to go through this with Wisconsin and now with Iowa. Frustrating!
 

Beat Iowa, Beat Wisconsin and whatever happens the rest of this season I can deal with.
 



Beat Iowa, Beat Wisconsin and whatever happens the rest of this season I can deal with.
When was the last time we beat both teams in the same season? We have a good enough team to beat Iowa, but at Kinnick is no small task. Our team hasn't played well on the road yet this season.
 


Nebraska felt like a really tough game leading up to Friday's matchup with the Gophers. Huskers were 5-1 and pretty close to 6-0 at the time. But now after yet another Nebby beatdown, some things start to come into focus:
1. Eked out a win over Cincinnati - not exactly a world beater.
2. Akron (not much to learn here after a win over the lowly Zips)
3. Houston Christian (not much to learn here after a win over lowly Houston Christian)
4. Tight loss to Michigan AT HOME and Michigan does look decent, but not playoff worthy.
5. had their problems with Michigan State and had to come from behind. MSU sucks.
6. had their problems with Maryland and had to come from behind. Maryland looks worse by the week.

So in hind sight, it is starting to feel like Nebraska is going to end up pretty average again this year so perhaps the "big" upset wasn't so big after all.

Cincinnati is 6-1 and ranked (#21). That turned out to be a much better win for them than it seemed at the time. I agree that the rest of their schedule to date, other than Michigan, has been underwhelming.

Their remaining schedule is challenging despite not having any of the top three teams. Northwestern has a much better record to date than anyone anticipated. After that is USC. At UCLA is no gimme right now. I suspect Penn State will improve as their new freshman QB gets more acclimated. They end the season with their customary last opponent, Iowa.
 

When was the last time we beat both teams in the same season? We have a good enough team to beat Iowa, but at Kinnick is no small task. Our team hasn't played well on the road yet this season.

We beat them at Kinnick two years ago with one of Fleck's worst teams. I agree that Iowa lately has been mostly a bridge too far.
 

When was the last time we beat both teams in the same season? We have a good enough team to beat Iowa, but at Kinnick is no small task. Our team hasn't played well on the road yet this season.
IDK even remember, probably over 25 years which is far back as I can remember. I'm 50 and I'm not entirely sure they have done it since I was old enough to remember.

EDIT: went and looked it up, It was 1990. I guess I was like 15 at the time 😂maybe.
 
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When was the last time we beat both teams in the same season? We have a good enough team to beat Iowa, but at Kinnick is no small task. Our team hasn't played well on the road yet this season.
1990 is the last time the Gophers beat Iowa and Wisconsin in the same season. 1989 is the last time the Gophers beat Iowa and Wisconsin in the same season while winning in Iowa City.
 


Enough already. The reason you play the game is to win the game. PJ has to have a game plan revolving around "winning the game" vs "not losing the game". Open up the offense giving our QB an opportunity to show his stuff. Give our D some tough pills this week and the schemes to perform. Remind the special teams their respective missions. No stupid penalties. Sounds like a Ferentz game plan doesn't it?
 




Enough already. The reason you play the game is to win the game. PJ has to have a game plan revolving around "winning the game" vs "not losing the game". Open up the offense giving our QB an opportunity to show his stuff. Give our D some tough pills this week and the schemes to perform. Remind the special teams their respective missions. No stupid penalties. Sounds like a Ferentz game plan doesn't it?
Don't plagiarize. Credit the source.
 


1990 is the last time the Gophers beat Iowa and Wisconsin in the same season. 1989 is the last time the Gophers beat Iowa and Wisconsin in the same season while winning in Iowa City.
1990 was the last time Wisconsin was this bad. So I feel like half of the rivalry series this year is a freebie, Wisconsin will certainly be 2-9 and possibly barely fielding a 2 deep by the season finale. Just have to out score another mediocre Iowa team to sweep those trophies.
 

Minnesota beat Iowa each of Joe’s Salem’s first three years yielding a total of 23 points in the games. The 1980 game is one of my all-time favorites. It was the last Minnesota-Iowa game played at Memorial Stadium
and the Gopher’s last trophy game win at Memorial Stadium.

The game was a sell-out aided by at least 15,000 Iowa fans. Iowa blocked or partially blocked three Minnesota punts in the first half. The Gopher defense was tough forcing—IIRC—five Iowa field goal attempts with placekicker Reggie Roby (later a great Dolphins punter) missing three times. The key Minnesota offensive play was a Tim Salem to tight end Randy Sonnenfeid pass right down the middle of about for about 40 years which set-up the Gophers either or second or third touchdown. It was great fun to see the Iowa fans leaving the bowl end of Memorial Stadium by the middle of the fourth quarter.
 

If we can win - it’s off to the races with wild hopes and dreams of a legit run.
 




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